Station-indicator.



PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

H. R. NELSON.

STATION INDICATOR.

APPLIGATIoN FILED man, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Ummm

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS Rw O 9 l 3, T C O D E T N E T A P Nm. nU S L E N Rm H.

STATION INDICATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 13110.17, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/l /lll //l// l/ l/l l l /l l /l ll //////lIll/l/l//llll//l//l /TNEEEJEE' HERBERT-RIPLEY MELE/DN No. 801.038. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

H. R. NELSON.

STATION INDICATOR.

APPLmATIoN FILED DB0. 1v. 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 UNTTED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.,

STATION-INDICATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application iiled December 17,1902. Serial 110.135,49?rx To (all whom, if/f 71u14/ crm/cern.-

Be it known that I, HERBERT RIPLEY NEL- SON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Station-Indicator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention is fully shown and described in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawings form a part, wherein similar letters or numerals of reference designate like or equivalent parts wherever found throughout the several views, and in which-- Figure 1 is a view of the indicator, the door of the casing being thrown open, the figure also showing the roller-carrying frame as out of engagement with the clutching device of the actuating-shaft. Fig. 2 is a view of the indicating mechanism as seen in vertical crosssection, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a view of the indicating mechanism shown in horizontal cross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the directLon of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the bottom of the indicator-casing, the walls of the casing appearing in horizontal section upon the lines 4 4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. The figure also shows the slide-track and the slidecarriage, the roller-carrying frame being removed. Fig. 5 is a view of the indicating mechanism looking to the left and is taken in cross-section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my preferred form of roller, together with the curtain used thereupon, and means for detachably securing the same in position. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of the roller-carrying frame, the rollers being omitted. Fig. 8 is a vertical section through a car equipped with another form of my invention in which the actuating-lever is at the bottom of the car and is connected with the indicator by suitable gearing. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, somewhat enlarged, upon the lines 14a 14 of Figs. 8 and 10, looking downward, this view also showing in dotted lines the position of the rod when in operation; and Fig. 10 is a vertical section upon the line 14b 14" of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, the reference-letter A designates the railway-car, in which usually at the end and above the door is rigidly secured my improved station-indicating device B, which is usually of the rectangular form shown and constructed of wood or any other suitable material, and such casing is usually provided at the forward side with the hinged or removable front plate or door C, provide with a central view-orifice 11, usually covered with glass, through whichmay be viewed the name of a station when registering therewith, such station names being printed or otherwise formed upon the curtain D in proper sequence, the ends of such curtain being respectively secured the one to the upper roller E and the other to the lower roller F, usually in the manner shown in detail in Fig. 6, by means of a securing-strip 12', fitting into a slot 12, formed longitudinally of such roller, the end of the curtain being forced down into such slotand held therein by such securing-strip. Upon the right-hand end of the roller E is a clutching device, usually consisting, as shown, of a conical lhead 13, having a central conical cavity 14, the base of which is outward, and the roller F is provided on its left-hand end with a like head 13', having a like cav ity. The rollers E and F are revolubly mounted at their ends in a rectangular frame, which for convenience of description I have designated as the removable roller-carrying frame G. This frame Gr is provided on the bottom with two rabbeted slides 16, which permit the said frame G to be slidable into and out of the casing upon two T-rails 17, carried by the slidecarriage H. This slide-carriage is mounted upon the two slide-rails 18, arranged longitudinally of the bottom of the casing, which is provided between said rails with a longitudinal slot 19, through which passes a threaded stud or bolt 20, screwing into the bottom of the frame G, carrying at its outer end the actuating thumb-piece or head 21.

Revolubly mounted at the right end wall of the casing upon a stud-shaft 22 is a gear-wheel 23, carrying a conical clutch member 24, adapted to contact with the cavity 14 of the head 13, constituting the other member of such clutching mechanism, so as to form an actuating connection between them, which gear-wheel 23 meshes with a larger gear-wheel 25, rigidly secured upon the shaft 26, upon the outer end of which is rigidly secured the ratchet-wheel 27, adjacent to which is vibratorily mounted upon such shaft 26 the actuating-lever`28, carrying the actuating-pawl 29, a stop-pawl 30 being also provided in each case to prevent retrograde movement of the shaft 26 and 26.

Similar mechanism to that described in the last paragraph is provided upon the left-hand IOO IOS

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end of the indicator-casing and the car, the respective parts of which on that side are designated by the same reference-numerals with the addition of the prime-mark.

i In the forms shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10 rocking' bevel-gears are used for transmitting' the motion from the stationary trip to the indicator. In these figures a cushioning' device is provided for the purpose of preventing a shock to the indicator proper, caused by abrupt contact of the actuating-lever with the stationary trip. The display apparatus .D is mounted within the casing Gr and provided with hollow clutch members 18 18, as already described. The casing G is mounted within the vehicle A in the manner above described.

Ratchet-wheels 50 51 are engaged by the pawls 52 58, mounted upon the levers 54 55, connected rigidly with the shafts 58 59, these shafts being preferably supported in the brackets 56 57. The bevel-gears 60 61 mesh with the bevel-gears 62 63, these latter bevelgears being mounted rigidly upon the rocking shafts 64 65. Each of these shafts is provided with a crank 64, secured rigidly thereto and engaged by a pitman 66, which passes loosely into a casing 67, disposed within the bottom of the car. This casing is provided with slideways 68, one of these slideways being engaged by a sliding' head 69. A hooklatch 70 is pivoted upon the sliding head 69. A set-collar 71 is mounted upon the pitman 66 and serves to compress the spiral spring' 72 against one end of the casing. A bracket 73 is so mounted as to depend beneath the floor of the car. A trip-lever 74 is pivotally journaled within these brackets and is connected by a thrust-rod 75 with a sliding head 76, sliding on the other of said slideways 68. By means of a set-collar 77, mounted rigidly upon the thrust-rod 75, which has a limited movement, a comparatively powerful spiral spring 78 is adapted to be stretched whenever the rod 75 is pulled longitudinally by the lever 7 4. A trip-plate 79 is mounted within the casing 67, as shown, and is provided with a bevel end 80, which is engaged bythe bevel portion of the latch 70. This latch is normally retracted relatively to its mounting by means of the spring 8l, as indicated more particularly in Fig. 10. The lever 54 carries a spring-pressed pawl 52, as shown to the right of Fig. 10. A pawl pressed upon by a spring 60, is provided for the purpose of preventing retrogression of each ratchetwheel 50 51. A stop-pin 60 is engaged by the lever 54, thereby preventing excessive rotation of the gear 60 and ratchet-wheel 50. Similar controlling means are used at the opposite end of the indicator. A stationary trip 83, having', preferably, the form of an elbow of bar-iron, is provided with a head 84 and is supported by being partially embedded in the earth.

The operation of the structure shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10 is as follows: The car being in motionesay to the right, as indicated in Figs. 9, 1()-the trip-lever 74 encounters the head 84 of the stationary trip 83, thereby forcing the thrust-rod 75 and the sliding head v76 toward the right. The cross-pin 82 thereupon engages the latch 70, as will readily be understood from Fig. 10. The lever 74 having passed by, the head 76 is retracted to its normal position by means of the powerful spring 78, the sliding head 69 of course following the sliding head 76, being connected thereto by the latch. \Vhen the latch 70 strikes the bevel 80, however, the latch is raised, and thereby released from the member 82, whereupon the spring 72 withdraws the head 69 to its normal position, (indicated at the right of Figs. 9, 10.) This movement of the sliding head 69 causes the pitman 66 to rock the shaft 64 or 65 and bevels 62 or 63, thereby giving' a partial revolution to the bevel60 or 61. This causes the lever 54 or 55 to actuate the ratchet-wheel 50 or 51, thereby operating the bevel mechanism proper. It will be noted that no matter how suddenly the lever 74 may be tripped the mechanism in the casing 67 serves to cushion the effect of what might otherwise be a damaging shock. By this means the indicating mechanism proper is never subjected to liability of breaking or to any other undue disturbance caused by the tripping of the lever 74. When the motion of the ear is reversed, the lever 74u actuates the signaling' mechanism substantially in the manner just described, the only difference being that the clutch member 13 is thus in engagement with the clutch member 24/, substantially as above described, so that the indicating device D is operated backwardly, thereby presenting the names of the stations in reversed order corresponding to the reversed direction of the general movement of the vehicle.

As before stated, each of the rollers E and F is provided with a slot 12, running longitudinally thereof, litting tightly into which is the curtain-securing strip 12', and around this strip the end of the curtain is loosely wrapped. By this arrangement it will be seen that should the rollers be rotated after the last station on the curtain is reached, by reason of the car continuing its travel over the road, so that the actuating-lever will be brought into contact with other station-stops, no damage will accrue to the device, for the reason that the securing-strip will merely be pulled from its slot, after which the curtain will be rolled upon the actuating-roller. lt will be only the work of a moment to reconnect the curtain to the roller by again inserting the curtain end and securing-strip in the slot when desired.

It will be understood that each station is provided with a stop or trip of the kind above IOO IIO

described, so that as the car passes each station a different station-name will be presented to the view of the passengers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a station-indicator, a casing, mechanism carrying the names of the stations carried by the casing, actuating mechanism in one portion of the casing for moving thc name-carrying mechanism in one direction, like mechanism in the other portion of the casing for moving the name-carrying mechanism in the other direction, and means for bringing the name-carrying mechanism into operative connection with either of such actuating mechanisms, substantially as set forth.

2. In a station-indicator, a casing, mechanism carrying the names of the stations carried by the casing, mechanism at one end of the casing for moving the name-carrying mechanism in one direction, like mechanism at the other end of the casing for moving the namecarrying mechanism in the opposite direction, means for bringing' the name-carrying mechanism into operative connection with either of such actuating mechanisms, a stationary trip located on one side of the track at each station for contacting with one of the actuating mechanisms when the Avehicle is moving in one direction, and a like trip located on the other side of the track for contacting withv the other actuating mechanism when the vehicle is moving in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

3. In a station-indicator, a casing, a removable frame carried by the casing, mechanism carrying the names of the stations carried by the frame, actuating` mechanism at one end of the casing for moving` the name-carrying' mechanism in one direction, like mechanism at the otherend of the casing for moving the name-carrying mechanism in the other direc tion, and means for bringing the name-carrying mechanism into operative connection with either of such actuating mechanisms, substantially as set forth.

4. In a station-indicator, a casing, a reciprocating' frame carried by the casing', mechanism carrying the names of the stations carried by the frame, actuating mechanism at one end of the casing for moving the namecarrying mechanism in one direction, like mechanism at the other end of the casing for moving the name-carrying mechanism in the other direction, and means for bringing the name-carrying mechanism into operative con nection with either of such actuating mechanisms, substantially as set forth.

In a station-indicator, a casing, a reciprocating frame carried by the casing, mecl anism carrying the names of the stations carried by the frame, actuating mechanism at one end of the casing for moving the namecarrying mechanism in one direction, means for bringing the name-carrying mechanism into operative connection with such actuating mechanism, and a stationary trip located on one side of the track at each station for contacting the actuating mechanism when the vehicle is moving.

6. In a station-indicator, a casing, a frame adapted to be reciprocated from one 'end to the other of the casing, mechanism carrying the names of the stations carried b v the frame, a clutch member located at each end of the casing and adapted to move the name-carrying mechanism in opposite directions, means exterior to the casing for rotating such clutch members, and a device for securing the frame in position so that the clutch member at either end will be in actuating connection with the name-carrying mechanism, substantially as set forth.

7. In a'station-indicator, a casing, a frame mounted therein and free to reciprocate, a top roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a clutch-head securedto one end ofv the roller, a bottom roller revolubly mountedv in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the bottom roller at the end opposite to the clutch-head end of the top roller', a flexible curtain provided With the station-names secured at one end to the top roller and at the other end to the bottom roller, a clutch member for the clutch-head of the top roller, said clutch member being revolubly mounted at one end of the casing, alike clutch member for the clutchhead of the bottom roller mounted in like manner at the other end of the casing, means for bringing the frame into position so that either of said clutch-heads will be in actuating contact with its coacting member and the other at the same time out of like engagement for` secu ring the said frame in such position, mechanism exterior to the casing in actuating connection with the clutch member of the top roller for rolling the curtain upon such roller, and like mechanism upon the other end of the casing for actuating the bottom roller in a similar manner, substantially as set forth.

8. In a station-indicator, a casing, sliderails connected With the casing and extending longitudinally thereof, aslide-carriage mounted upon the slide-rails, means for securing such slide-carriage against movement on the slide-rails, a frame, means for removably securing the said frame to the slide-carriage, carrying mechanism mounted upon the frame and provided with names of stations, mechanism actuated from the' exterior of the casing and adapted, when the frame is at the adjacent end of the casing, to actuate the namecarrying mechanism in one direction, and similar mechanism at the other end of the casing for actuating the name-carrying mechanism in the other direction when the frame is at the adjacent end of the casing, substantially as set forth.

9. In a station-indicator, a casing, sliderails extending longitudinally of the casing, a

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slide-carriage mounted upon the slide-rails, means for securing such slide-carriage against movement on the slide-rails, a frame, means for removably securing the said frame to the slide-carriage, a top roller revolubl y mounted in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the end of the roller, a bottom roller rcvolubly mounted in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the bottom roller at the end opposite to the clutch-head end of the top roller, a flexible curtain provided with the station-names secured at one end to the top roller and at the other end to the bottom roller, a clutch member for the clutch-head of the top roller revolubly mounted at one end of the casing, a like clutch member for the clutch-head of the bottom roller mounted in like manner at the other end of the casing, mechanism exterior to the easing in actuating connection with the clutch member of the top roller for rolling the curtain upon such roller, and like mechanism upon the other end of the casing for actuating the bottom roller in a like manner, substantially as set forth.

l0. In a station-indicator, a casing, sliderails extending longitudinally of the casing, a slide-carriage supported upon the slide-rails, means for securing such slide-carriage against movement on the slide-rails, a frame, means foi removably7 securing the said frame to the slide-carriage, a top roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the end of the roller, a bottom roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the bottom roller at the end opposite to the clutchhead end of the top roller, a iiexible curtain provided with the station-names secured at one end to the top roller and at the other end to the bottom roller, in such manner as to be automatically released from the roller when fully unwound therefrom and pulled upon, a clutch member for the clutch-head of the top roller revolubly mounted at onel end of the casing, alike clutch member for the clutchhead of the bottom roller mounted in like manner at the other end of the casing, mechanism exterior to the casing in actuating' conneetion with the clutch member of the top roller for rolling the curtain upon such roller, and like mechanism upon the other end of the casing for actuating the bottom roller in a like manner, substantially as set forth.

1l. In a station-indicator, a casing, a frame mounted therein and free to reciprocate, a top roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a conical elutch-head secured to the end of the roller, a bottom roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a conical clutch-head secured to the bottom roller at the end opposite to the clutcl head end of the top roller, a iiexible curtain provided with the station-names secured at one end to the top roller and at the other end to the bottom roller, a clutch member for the conical clutch-head of the top roller revolubly mounted at one end of the casing, a like clutch member for the conical clutch-head of the bottom roller mounted in like manner at the other end of the casing, means for bringing the frame into position so that either of said conical clutch-heads Will be in actuating contact with its coacting member and the other of said clutch-beads at the same time will be out of like engagement, means for securing said frame in such position, mechanism exterior to the casing in actuating connection with the clutch member of the top roller for rolling the curtain upon such roller, and like mechanism upon the other end of the casing for actuating the bottom roller in a similar manner, substantially as set forth.

12. In a station-indicator, a casing, sliderails extendinglongitudinally of the casing, a slide-carriage mounted upon the slide-rails, means for securing such slide-carriage against movement on the slide-rails, a frame, means for removably securing the said frame to the slide-carriage, a top roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a conical clutch-head secured to the end of the roller, a bottom roller revolu bly mounted in the frame, a conical clutch-head secured to the bottom roller at the end opposite to the conical clutch-head end of the top roller, a liexible curtain provided with the station-names secured at one end to the top .roller and at the other end to the bottom roller,

a clutch member for the conical clutch-head of the top roller revolubly mounted at one end of the casing, a like clutch member for the conical clutch-head of the bottom roller in like manner at the other end of the casing, meehanism exterior to the easing mounted in actuating connection With the clutch member of the top roller for rolling the curtain upon such roller, and like mechanism upon the other end of the casing for actuating the bottom roller in like manner, substantially as set forth.

18. In a station-indicator, a easing, sliderails extending longitudinally7 of the casing, a slide-carriage mounted upon the sliderails, means for securingsueh slide-carriage against movement on the slide-rails, a frame, means for removably securing the frame to the slidecarriage, a top roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the end of the roller, a bottom roller revolubly mounted in the frame, a clutch-head secured to the bottom roller at the end opposite to the clutchhead end of the top roller, a flexible curtain provided with the station-names secured at one end to the top roller and at the other end to the bottom roller, a clutch member for the clutch-head of the top roller revolubly mounted at one end of the casing, a like clutch member for the clutch-head of the bottom roller mounted in like manner at the other end of the casing, a revoluble member secured to each of the clutch members, a shaft adjacent to each of said revoluble members, a ratchet-Wheel secured upon each of such shafts exterior to IOO IIO

the casing', an actuating-lever, and a pawl carried by the lever in actuating contact with the ratchet-wheel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

1a. A station-indicator, comprising mechanism provided with the names of stations, a pitman connected with said mechanism for actuating' the same step by step, a casing provided with a hole throug'h which said pitman passes, and also provided with tracks, a sliding head eng'aging one of said tracks and mounted rigidly upon said pitman, anotherl sliding head engaging another of said tracks, a thrust-rod connected with said last-mentioned sliding head, trip mechanism for actuating' said thrust-rod, a latch mounted upon one of said heads and free to engag'e a portion of the other of said heads, a member for releasing' said latch, and springs for retracting said pitman and said thrust-rod.

15. A station-indicator, comprising mechanism mounted upon a vehicle and provided with means for announcing' Stations, and with a depending' lever for actuating said mechanism step by step, and a cushioning' device connected with said mechanism and with said depending lever for preventing shocks to said mechanism due to abrupt movement of said Vlever, said mechanism being provided with two detachable members capable of engaging and disengag'ing each other, and with spring' mechanism for normally maintaining said de tachable members in certain predetermined normal positions.

16. In a station-indicator, a casing, a frame mounted therein and free to reciprocate, rollers mounted within said frame, a display member partially wound' upon said rollers, separate clutch-heads for said rollers, a coacting clutch member for each of said clutch-heads, said coacting clutch members being revolubly supported by said casing, and means for moving' said frame into such position that one of said clutch-heads will be in actuating contact with its coacting member, and the other of sai d clutch-heads at the same time will be out of like engagement, and means for securing the said frame in such position, substantially as set forth.

1T. In astation-indicator, a casing, a frame adapted to be reciprocated within the casing, a top roller mounted within said frame, a clutch-head secured to the end of said top roller, a bottom roller revolubly mounted within the frame, a clutch-head connected with said bottom roller, a flexible curtain provided with the station-names and secured-at one end to the top roller and at the other end to the bottom roller in such manner as to be automatically released from either roller when fully unwound therefrom and pulled upon, a clutch member for the clutch-head of said top roller, said clutch memberbeing revolubly mounted at one end of the casing, a like clutch member for the clutchhead of the bottom roller, said like clutch member being mounted in like manner at the other end of said casing, means for bringing' the frame into position so that one of said clutch-heads will be in actuating contact with its coacting member and the other of said clutch-heads will at thesame time be out of like engagement, means for securing said frame in such position, mechanism eXterior to the casing in actuating connection with the clutch member of the top roller for Winding' the curtain thereupon, and like mechanism at the other end of the casing for actuating the bottom roller in a similar manner, substantially as described.

18. In a station-indicator, the combination of movable mechanism for indicating the names of stations, a longitudinal member for actuating' said mechanism step by step, trip mechanism, a vehicle for carrying the same, means controllable by movements of said vehicle for actuating said trip mechanism, a thrust-rod connected with said trip mechanism, retaining mechanism for normally maintaining' said longitudinal member and said thrust-rod in definite positions relatively to each other, and means for releasing said retaining mechanism.

19. In a station-indicator, the combination of movable mechanism for indicating the names of stations, a longitudinal member for actuating said mechanism step by step, trip v mechanism, a vehicle for carrying the same, means for periodically actuating said trip mechanism, a thrust-rod connected with said trip mechanism, spring mechanism for normally holding said trip mechanism and said thrust-rod in definite positions, and latch mechanism for temporarily connecting said thrust-rod with said longitudinal member and disconnecting the same therefrom.

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20. In a station-indicator, the combination of movable mechanism for indicating the names of stations, a member for actuating said mechanism step by step, a spring for drawing said member in one direction, trip mechanism, a vehicle for carrying the same, means for periodically actuating said trip mechanism, a spring for drawing said trip mechanism in one direction, and latch mechanism for temporarily connecting said member and said trip mechanism together and for disconnecting the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HERBERT RIPLEY NELSON. lVitnesses:

VAL'roN HARRISON, EVERARD BOLTON MARsHALL.

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